Author: Daniel Shaffer

4th Circuit declines to rehear on Forest Service decision on MVP

An appeal by Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider the decision of a three-judge panel to vacate the Forest Service permit for the project was rejected by Court on March 25. This leaves

Shenandoah Mountain Scenic Area a step closer to reality

Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner introduced on March 23 the Shenandoah Mountain Act of 2022, which would designate more than 92,000 acres of the George Washington National Forest as the Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area (SMCSA). If enacted,

Decisions on ACP restoration plan expected soon

The long-anticipated decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on the route restoration of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) is expected be forthcoming this month. FERC announced in November that a final decision on a restoration plan for the

Bill stripping citizen air and water boards of permitting power headed to governor

Card – Virginia Mercury – 2/28/22

Mountain Valley Pipeline lead investor urges patience

Card – Chatham Star Tribune – 3/3/22 Related: Manchin moves to help speed up finish of natural gas pipeline

Limpert: Mountain Valley Pipeline will be a health hazard

Card – The Roanoke Times – 3/9/22

Buffalo Creek — 50 years later

Card – WV Metro News – 2/25/22

Do opponents of Botetourt County wind farm live too far away to sue?

Card – The Roanoke Times – 3/6/22

Tilting toward windmills

Card – Virginia Business – 2/27/22

EU Aims to Cut Russia Gas Dependence by Almost 80% This Year

Card – Bloomberg – 3/7/22

ABRA CONSERVATION HUB

ABRA’s Conservation Hub program promotes responsible resource management by providing access to critical information needed for effective public involvement in environmental review and oversight.

Following the defeat of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline in 2020, ABRA initiated the Conservation Hub to support informed public engagement with the broader range of environmental issues confronting the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Mountain region. The Conservation Hub builds on the analysis and information sharing capacity achieved through ABRA’s Pipeline CSI project during the years of ACP opposition.

The Conservation Hub is based on the use of GIS mapping to provide details and context for land development projects and management practices that involve risk of environmental harm, as well as for environmental preservation and restoration initiatives. The Conservation Hub also provides access to regulatory documents and assessments related to specific projects or issues.

Multiple Conservation Hub sites, focused on individual projects or issues, have been developed collaboratively with ABRA’s partners and allies. Going forward, we invite conservation groups, individuals, and communities to provide ideas for new Hub sites and GIS mapping that can contribute to informed public engagement on behalf of environmental integrity in the Allegheny-Blue Ridge region.